The Use of Surgical Bone Staples to Stabilise Corrective Osteotomies of the Radius in Four Dogs

Summary

Orthopaedic staples were used to stabilise corrective closing wedge osteotomies of the distal radius in four dogs with forelimb angular deformity. External coaptation was used for four to six weeks. All of the dogs had excellent limb function and cosmetic appearance of the limb. Evidence of implant failure was not observed. Surgical staples were a reliable implant for the stabilisation of radial wedge osteotomies, and particularly useful in cases where the osteotomy is distally located resulting in a short distal radial fragment.

Four dogs with premature closure of the distal ulnar growth plate or lateral aspect of the distal radial physis were treated by corrective radial cuneiform osteotomies which were stabilised with orthopaedic surgical staples and short term external coaptation. All of the dogs had an excellent functional and cosmetic result.

Keywords

Physeal closure - radial wedge osteotomy - surgical staples

¹ Present addresses: Comparative Oncology Unit, Colorado State University

² Baldivis Veterinary Clinic, Perth, Western Australia

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